urban area, southeastern New South Wales, Australia, part of the Shoalhaven local government area. It lies along the Shoalhaven River delta. Nowra was proclaimed a town in 1857 and given as a name the Aboriginal word for “black cockatoo.” Made a municipality in 1871, it was incorporated into the shire of Shoalhaven in 1948 and became a city in 1979. The town of Bomaderry lies opposite Nowra on the northern bank of the Shoalhaven. Nowra-Bomaderry lies on the Prince's Highway and is the terminus of the South Coast rail line from Sydney (75 miles 【121 km】 northeast). It serves a region supporting dairy products, pigs, vegetables, corn (maize), and hardwoods. Manufactures include paper and rubber goods. A growing tourist industry is based on scenic river, coastal, and forest surroundings. A lyrebird festival is celebrated each October. Pop. (2006) urban area, 30,955; Shoalhaven local government area, 88,405.